Monday, October 12

Putin: I wish US had given us the $500 million to fight international terrorists; we could've used it better

I'm laughing so hard at Putin's remark I'm having trouble typing. He's talking about the failed US program to train 'moderates' to fight IS. He also lobs this zinger:

"In response to the accusations against us that we carry out airstrikes on the moderate opposition, and not on ISIS and other terrorist organizations, we respond: Let's say you know better the situation on the ground. You've been there for more than a year illegally. Just give us targets and we'll work them out."

Oh lordy, what a war. If you watch the 8:16 PM video report from Arwa Damon in Istanbul last night that accompanies the CCN report below (third video in the series), you'll see big differences between the CNN print report (below) and the slant of the video report. It's two different worlds: the one that readers see, and the one television audiences see.

Mon October 12, 2015 | Video Source: CNN(CNN) The goal of Russian airstrikes inSyriais to stabilize the government of President Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin told state TV on Sunday, adding Russia has no plans to conduct a ground operation.

A day earlier, Russian air forces struck 55 ISIS targets, including "the main and largest ISIS logistics centers," ammunition depots and training camps, the ministry said.

"Our task is to stabilize the legitimate government and to create conditions for a political compromise," Putin said in the interview with Russia 24.

"By military means, of course. The units of international terrorists and their ilk have no desire to negotiate with the Syrian government, who is almost sieged in its own capital."

Asked about the possibility of a ground operation, Putin said, "We're not going to do it, and our Syrian friends know about it."

Putin said the airstrikes have a high degree of accuracy thanks to Russian intelligence-gathering over a long period of time.

"We were matching different kinds of information we received," he said. "The specialists of the General Staff, in coordination with Syrian partners and other countries in the region, have created an information center in Baghdad. As a result of data exchange, we received additional information.

"So everything that is happening in skies and on the ground is not a spontaneous action, but the fulfillment of the previously envisaged plans."

The United States and other players have questioned Russia's targets, suggesting the strikes are not primarily aimed at ISIS but at the Syrian opposition in a bid to strengthen the Syrian government's position.

Putin said Moscow has no reason to join someone else's fight.

"It is not about the foreign policy. Russian foreign policy is peace-loving without any exaggeration. If you look at the world map, and see what Russia is, it becomes obvious that we do not need any foreign territories or foreign natural resources. Russia is a self-sufficient country. We do not need someone to fight and conflict with," he said.

"I wish they gave us $500 million. We would have spent it better in terms of fighting against international terrorism. It's true. But, in any case, we need to work together to bring, as I said, a full exchange of intelligence information," Putin said.

He repeated his offer to cooperate with the United States in carrying out attacks in Syria, despite Carter's refusal last week.

"In response to the accusations against us that we carry out airstrikes on the moderate opposition, and not on ISIS and other terrorist organizations, we respond: Let's say you know better the situation on the ground. You've been there for more than a year illegally. Just give us targets and we'll work them out."

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